Bedpan shield



D. SMITH BEDPAN SHIELD April 5,1921.

Filed Nov. 24, 1924 FIEZ.

Patented Apr. 5, 1927. i

DUDLEY SMITH, 01? OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

IBEDPAN SHIELD.

Application led November 2 My invention relates to a shield to be. usedinconnection with a bed pan'.

An object of my invention is the production of a device to prevent thesoiling of bed linen during the'use of a bed pan.-

Another object of my invention is the production of a bed pan shieldwhich may quickly and thoroughly be cleansed.

Another obj ectof my invention is the production of a bed pan shieldwhich may be used for ,either seX.

My invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich with the foregoing will be set forth in the preferred form of myinvention, which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and formingpart of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limitmyself to the showing made by the said drawings and description,as I mayadopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my inventionas set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my. shield in the position of use, thed-otted linemdicating a bed pan with which it is used.

Figure 2 is an end elevation, the direction `of the view being indicatedby the arrow 2 in Figure 1. v

Figure 3 is a perspective view, the direction being indicated by thearrow 3 of Figure 1.

Y Figure 4 is a side elevation of the shield in the position of use withanother type of bed pan which is indicated in dotted lines.

Broadly, my invention comprises a shield for use in connection with abed pan, `and which is shaped to provide an effective and comfortablecontact with the body of the user. The shield comprises a generallytoroidally curved member and is made from any suitable material whichlends itself to thorough cleaning, such asv porcelain or enamelware. Ishall refer to the general shape of the shield asA toroidal and it istov be understood that by this term, Iinean a curved tubular body openlaterally along its inner side; in other words, a curved plate havingits edges curved toward each other to provide a shielding surface onthree sides.

It is essential that the highest degree of sanitation beconstantlymaintained in a hospital and that patients under treatment be made ascomfortable as possible at all times. It is further desirable to providewherever it can be done, mechanical aids to the nurses 4, 1924. SerialNo. 751,793.

to mitigate the unpleasant part of her duties.

The use of the bed pan is a source of ein* i barrassinent and annoyanceto both nurse and patient; and the frequent soiling of the bed linen,and the resultant necessity of change, and the diiiiculty of properlycleaning the bedpan when papers or rubber sheeting are used, make thisphase of the care ofthe sich one of the most trying of all. In hospitalsit is customary to attempt to provide some sort of protection to the bedlinen by the use of paper or rubber sheets, butl always with ratheruncertain results, due to their instability. Even though the bed linenvis protected by these. methods, the

nurses work is still unnecessarily unpleasant. My invention is designedto overcome or lessen these objectionable features, as by its use thesoiling of linen is prevented and probably the most unpleasant dutywhich the nurse has to perform, is made less repugnant.

In detail, my invention comprises a curved tubular shell, formed fromany suitable inaterial such as metal, glass or porcelain. I prefer touseenainelw'are or porcelain, since such material is durable and may bereadily cleansed. The side of the shell on the inside of the curve isopen orv split from end to end,

and this open space 7 is towards the patient in the position of use asshown in Figure l. The lower edge 8 of the shield when in use rests uponthe bottom of the bed pan, and is preferably flattened or Aflared toincrease the support thus provided. The edges 12 of the shield areadapted to lie against the body of the user` and are therefore curved toprovide an effective and comfortable contact: with the body; Reentrantsurfaces 11 are provided adjacent the lateral edges l2 of the shield,and these surfaces approximately complement the inner surfaces of thethighs.

I have found that the best results are o-btained from a shield whichmeasuresbetween i eleven and one-half and thirteen inches in length, andbetween three and four inches yiio In using my shield, the patient ispositioned on the bed pan in the usual manner, and the shield placedbetween the thighs with the lower iiaring end 8 resting on the bottom ofthe bed pan as shown in Figure l, and the reentranted surfaces incomfortable Contact with the inner surfaces of the thighs and the edgesl2 resting against the perineum of the patient. The Haring lower end ofthe shield insures a stable support, but it is also desirable that thepatient hold the shield b v gentle pressure of the thighs against thei'eentrant surfaces 11. Y

The shield of my invention may be thoroughly cleansed by flushing and isnot objectionable to handle as the upper end never becomes soiled.

I claim:

l. A bed pan shield comprising a toroidalljy7 curved shell7 the loweredge of which is flared to provide a stable support, and the lateraledges of which are curved to provide an effective and comfortableContact with the body of the user.

2. A bed pan shield comprising a laterally opened tube of generallytoroidal form, the surfaces adjacent the lateral edges being depressedto provide reentrant surfaces substantially complementary to the innersurfaces of the thighs of the user.

3. A bed pan shield comprising` a laterally opened tube of generallytoroidal form, the lower edge of Which is iared to provide a stablesupport and the lateral edges of which are curved to provide aneffective and comfortable contact with the body of the user, the surfaceadjacent the lateral edges being depressed to provide reentrant surfacessubstantially complementary to the inner surfaces of the thighs of theuser.

In testimonyv whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

DUDLEY SMITH.

